Sep 27, 2016

Exploring Spokane, Washington

Our time in Spokane, Washington was brief as we were rushing for Seattle to kick off our road trip spanning the Pacific coast. My friend Mike and I still found time to do a bit of wandering and explored the Davenport Hotel and Steam Plant Square. We stayed at Hotel Ruby (a place I shot a few pictures of on a previous visit) and grabbed breakfast at Frank's Diner the next morning. All and all, not a bad start for what was really just a stop over.

Downtown Spokane Washington


Downtown Spokane Washington


Downtown Spokane Washington
Davenport Hotel

Downtown Spokane Washington


Downtown Spokane Washington

Downtown Spokane Washington

Downtown Spokane Washington

Downtown Spokane Washington



Downtown Spokane Washington
Downtown Spokane Washington


Downtown Spokane Washington




A photo posted by Luke Fandrich (@editingluke) on

Downtown Spokane Washington

Downtown Spokane Washington

Downtown Spokane Washington



Downtown Spokane Washington


Downtown Spokane Washington

Sep 26, 2016

Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee

Located in downtown Nashville, Ryman Auditorium was opened in 1892 and was originally known as the Union Gospel Tabernacle. The idea for the large venue was conceived by Thomas Ryman, a Nashville businessman, after listening to influential revivalist Samuel Porter Jones speak. 

Ryman Auditorium Nashville TennesseeRyman Auditorium is perhaps best known as the former home of the Grand Ole Opry, which was hosted here from 1943-1974. At the time it was then called the Grand Ole Opry House. As you would expect, countless legends have performed on this stage over the years, including Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Louis Armstrong, Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, and Tammy Wynette. The list goes on and on and on.

Ryman Auditorium Nashville Tennessee Archival
Ryman Auditorium | Grand Ole Opry House ca. 1970

Ryman Auditorium Nashville Tennessee
Today, Ryman Auditorium is still a popular venue and hosts everything from classical, country, and rock concerts to stand-up comedy and theatre. When the Opry moved in 1974, a circular section of the stage was cut from the Ryman and placed on the new stage at the Grand Ole Opry House so that musicians could continue to share in the legacy of this iconic venue. It would seem that Ryman Auditorium has become even more relevant with age, and is still undeniably one of the most revered theatres in Nashville, if not the world.  

Ryman Auditorium Birth of Bluegrass

Ryman Auditorium Nashville Tennessee

Ryman Auditorium Nashville Tennessee

Ryman Auditorium Nashville Tennessee

Ryman Auditorium Nashville Tennessee

Ryman Auditorium Nashville Tennessee

Ryman Auditorium Nashville Tennessee

Ryman Auditorium Nashville Tennessee

Ryman Auditorium Nashville Tennessee

Ryman Auditorium Nashville Tennessee

Ryman Auditorium Nashville Tennessee

Ryman Auditorium Nashville Tennessee

Sep 23, 2016

Eureka Inn in Eureka, California

Opened in 1922, the Eureka Inn is a historically significant hotel located near the redwood forests along the coast of northern California. For decades, the Eureka Inn was the grandest hotel between Portland and San Francisco, and as a result, an impressive list of celebrities and dignitaries have stayed here. Portraits hang in the lobby of some of them, including Shirley Temple, Winston Churchill, Truman Capote, and Ronald Reagan among numerous others. 

Eureka Inn California History

Like most historic properties, the Eureka Inn has had its ups and downs over the years. It was shuttered in 2004, but reopened in 2010 and renovations and upgrades have been ongoing ever since. I'll be the first to admit that the Eureka Inn does struggle to compete with the amenities of more modern hotels, however the one thing that really makes it a standout is its character.

Eureka Inn California History
Eureka Inn ca. 1920s
Eureka Inn California History
As  you'd expect, there's a lot of redwood around this hotel. The lobby and hallways are like something out of the lodge in The Shining, and that actually made it really fun to explore. With old portraits on the walls, mementos from the Eureka Inn's past on display, and throwbacks like the old telephone booths in the lobby, it was easy to get swept up in the charm of this historic property. The Eureka Inn is the kind of place that makes you appreciate where you are.   

Eureka Inn California History


Eureka Inn California History


Eureka Inn California History



Eureka Inn California History

Eureka Inn California History
Old telephone booths in the Eureka Inn lobby.

Eureka Inn California History

Eureka Inn California History

Eureka Inn California History

Eureka Inn Historic Site

Eureka Inn California History

Eureka Inn California History



Eureka Inn Hotel California
Eureka Inn Hotel California



Eureka Inn Hotel California

Eureka Inn Hotel California



Eureka Inn Hotel California


Eureka Inn Hotel California
Eureka Inn Hotel California


Eureka Inn Hotel California

Eureka Inn Hotel California

Eureka Inn Hotel California


Eureka Inn Hotel California
Eureka Inn Hotel California

Eureka Inn Hotel California



Eureka Inn Hotel California

Eureka Inn Hotel California
Eureka Inn Hotel California